“Why João Félix struggles at Chelsea and thrives without him at Atletico Madrid”

While Chelsea and Arsenal will face each other this Tuesday evening in the Premier League, the situation of João Félix, who left Atletico Madrid to join the blues and whites, is at a standstill.

The years pass and look alike. Four years after leaving SL Benfica, João Félix is ​​still not unanimous within the football world. Worse still, she loses her patience. However, the one who was predicted a future in (Ballon d’) or left Atletico Madrid. Often referred to as the cause of all his misfortunes, the Ché club ended up on loan this winter to Chelsea. But his landing in England quickly turned into a nightmare. Since his arrival, the London club has only had four small victories, and the Portuguese striker has lost his starting position since the return of Frank Lampard.

Whose fault is it ?

Thriving in Diego Simeone’s football is no picnic. Especially for a player of the quality of João Félix. Effort in all its forms takes precedence over individual creativity and Madrid attackers are often forced to eat their black bread. The announcement of the departure of the Golden Boy 2019 for Chelsea then took on the air of freedomhimself affirmed it in a press conference. But the Blues are doing badly, very badly. Despite the arrivals in shambles of players, each more talented than the other, despite Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter or Frank Lampard, despite more than 500 million euros spent this season, the residents of Stamford Bridge no longer put a foot in front of the other. It is in this unfavorable context that João Félix evolves today. Intermittently, he seems to free himself from it. As in the knockout stages of the Champions League, against Dortmund, where on the outward and return journey, he was one of the great architects of his team’s qualification despite the absence of a goal or assist on the counter. But the long and bad pass that Chelsea is going through is right for everyone. Even from him. For three meetings, the native of Viseu is no longer a holder.

When João Félix is ​​not there, Atletico dances

While João Félix is ​​in the throes of a complicated situation, Atletico Madrid is doing for the best. Since his departure, the men of the Cholo have recorded 13 victories, and can count on a very great Antoine Griezmann. This season, the French striker has scored 11 goals and provided 12 assists in La Liga. Third in the league, the club from the Spanish capital have a comfortable lead over their pursuers and will most certainly qualify for the Champions League. A competition that Chelsea will not play, which could even, barring a reversal of the situation, not play any European match next season. Loaned without an option to buy, João Félix will therefore return to Atletico Madrid at the end of the season. His contract will end in 2027.